Volume 1, Issue 1 June — December 2017

Page 1

The Gambia - EU Cooperation

“Post Crisis-Response to Food and Nutrition Insecurity in The Gambia”

Newsletter

L-R: Saffie Lowe-Ceesay, Minister of Health delivering launch statement, Rupert Leighton, UNICEP Rep (a.i), Omar A Jallow, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Mariam Jack-Denton, Speaker, National Assembly, H.E, Atila Lajos, EU Ambassador, Perpetua Katepa-Kalala, FAO Rep and Angela Cespedes, WFP Country Director at the project launch Photo: ©UINCEF/Jama Jack

Page 2 Highlights of the project compo-nents, launch Page 3 Prevention and Treatment of Malnu-

trition, Saves Lives Page 4 Working with vulnerable households to improve nutritional and health status through capacity

building and awareness raising

Page 5 Fighting hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty through “Cash For Work”

Page 6 Empowering farmers to increase productivity through Farmer Field School Approach Page 7 Improving access to quality seeds

and fertilizer for food security and nutrition

Page 8 Here’s what EU support means for Families in The Gambia

Inside Stories

Working together to combat hunger and malnutrition: Leaving no one behind

The Gambian Government in close partnership with the Food and Agri-culture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) on 8 June 2017 launched a project aimed at contributing to the reduction of

food insecurity and malnutrition in The Gambia. The 11.5million Euros European Union funded project is entitled ‘‘Post-Crisis Response to Food and Nutrition Insecurity in The Gam-bia’’. The initiative is founded on the basis that the first 1,000 days (conception to two years of age) are crucial in defining children’s future nutrition and health status. Supporting them during these formative

days, is key to improving their holistic development. At least 11,000 food insecure households where children 0-24 months are most at risk of malnutrition; both chronic and acute will directly benefit from the initiative in the North Bank, Lower, Central and Upper River regions.

The intervention will strengthen the capacity of vulnerable smallholder

farmers to sustainably boost household food security and income and; provide a comprehensive package for the promotion of optimal nutrition and care practices; and Social and Behavioural Change Communication to enhance child and maternal nutrition and health. [continued on page 2]

ISSUE 1 — JUNE — DECEMBER 2017

Partnerships The 29-month intervention seeks to reduce malnutrition among children under 2 by addressing

both the underlying causes and immediate needs of malnourished and at-risk households. It is being executed by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and The United National Children’s Fund (UNICEF) according to their corporate mandates, expertise and comparative advantages. FAO serves

as the the lead agency. The project is being implemented in close partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture (and its specialized units), the National Nutrition Agency, the Ministry of

Health and Social Welfare, the National Disaster

Management Agency, The NGOs, The Farmer Based Organizations and the Women's Health, Productivity and the Environment NGO (BAFROW).

Alignment with Gov`t`s priorities The project is hinged on The Gambian Government’s

drive towards the attainment of food and nutrition security as articulated in its development framework. It is also in line with a policy commitment made by the EU in 2012 to contribute to building the resilience of vulnerable communities by addressing the root causes of food insecurity. The initiative is also aligned to pillar 2 [Sustainable Agriculture and food

Security] and pillar 3 [Natural Resources,Environment

and Climate Change Management and Disaster Risk Management] of the UN – Gambia development cooperation for the period 2017 – 2020.

Project Steering Committee A Project Steering Committee (PSC) comprising the key project stakeholders (EU Delegation, UN, government, NGOs, and civil society) was set up prior to the

project launch. The committee chaired by the Permanent

Secretary of Ministry of Health, is the

overall body responsible for oversight, policy guidance and coordination. The committee met twice in

2017.

Statements at the Project launch in Brief In her keystone statement, Ms Saffie Lowe-Ceesay, Minister of Health and Social Welfare underlined the importance of good nutrition to the attainment of

sustainable development. She spoke of the relevance of the project to the country. Ms Lowe-Ceesay on behalf of The Gambian government and people thanked thanked the EU, FAO, UNICEF and WFP and, other partners for their commitment to the project. In his welcome remarks, Omar A Jallow, Agriculture

Minister explained that the intervention marks an important milestone in our collective effort to tackle food and nutrition insecurity and poverty in The Gambia. Minister Jallow challenged all stakeholders to

work collectively for the successful implementation of the project. He argued that the success of the

intervention is imperative to sustainably breaking the intergenerational vicious cycle of poverty and hunger. Perpetua Katepa-Kalala, FAO Country Representative in a joint FAO, UNICEF and WFP statement also underlined the significance of the intervention towards the achievement of national development

targets and the SDGs. She lamented that nearly 7 out of 10 people in the rural areas live below the poverty line compared with 1 in 3 in the urban areas. Attila Lajos, European Union ambassador to The Gambia spoke at length on the rational, objectives

and how the project would be executed by the three

agencies (FAO, UNICEF and WFP). He restated the EU`s commitment to the eradication of hunger and malnutrition in the world.

Working together to combat hunger and malnutrition: Leaving no one behind Continued from Page 1

Page 2

A group photo of the dignitaries who attended the project launch at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Photo credit: ©FAO/Amadou Bah

ISSUE 1 — JUNE — DECEMBER 2017

Addressing malnutrition requires an inclusive multi-stakeholder approach that goes beyond the health facility

level to involve parents, caregivers, and community volunteers. Under this assistance, the focus is on enhanced

knowledge on good nutrition and care practices around both prevention and treatment.

The “Post-Crisis Response to Nutrition Insecurity in The Gambia” project also supports the continuation of

UNICEF and WFP’s cooperation with The Gambian Government on improving maternal and infant nutrition.

Working in partnership with the National Nutrition Agency and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, UNICEF

seeks to promote optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) through capacity strengthening of health facili-

ty staff on the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).

Institutional Capacity strengthening

To improve programme effectiveness, UNICEF and WFP engaged and trained stakeholders at all levels on the

Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM). At national level, up to nine government institutions in-

cluding the media were provided with a comprehensive guide on the treatment and prevention of malnutrition.

More than one hundred regional health workers, and one thousand, two hundred and fifty-two Village Support

Groups (VSGs) and Red Cross Volunteers also received training.

WFP further provided the VSGs with in-kind support

such as motor bikes, chairs and cooking pots to facili-

tate their support during distributions, follow up home

visits and awareness creation.

Since the start of the project, a total of 175 health

facility personnel (including nurses, administrators,

security personnel, orderlies and drivers) have been

trained in the standard protocol on the treatment and

management of SAM complications. To ensure that

no child is left behind, the project supported the com-

munity management of SAM as outpatient treatment

by strengthening the capacity of Community Health

nurses who conduct biannual screening for MAM and

SAM. A total of 775 representatives from Village Support Groups (VSG) have been trained with the expectation

that each one will train at least six mothers/caregivers, thereby reaching 4,650 beneficiaries. The VSGs provide

a structure for community support to new

mothers and caregivers.

Improving awareness, sanitation

To reach a wider audience and ensure con-

tinuity of messaging, WFP and UNICEF

worked closely with the Directorate of

Health Promotion and Education to high-

light key messages on good and sustaina-

ble care practices using television and ra-

dio spots. With increased knowledge and

optimal care, child malnutrition can be pre-

vented or managed.

The project also supported the installation

of a water reticulation system at Kuntaur

Health Centre, and the rehabilitation of a

well at the Centre for Nutrition Recovery

and Education (CREN) in Basse.

Improving the Nutritional and Health Status of vulnerable households through capacity building and awareness raising

A trained community volunteer screening a child, Photo: ©WFP/Isatou Njai

Water reticulation system at Kuntaur Health Centre Photo credit: ©FAO/IOusman Bangura

ISSUE 1 — JUNE — DECEMBER 2017 PAGE 3

Early Detection, Prevention

Prevention of malnutrition especially

among children in The Gambia is crucial.

Studies show that 1 in 4 children under 5

are stunted (2015 SMART). In Kuntaur

and Janjanbureh Local Government Areas,

both in the Central River Region North,

show scores above the national average,

at 31.5 and 28.6 percent respectively. The

prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition

(GAM) is at 10.3 percent, up from 9.9

percent in 2012. Women are also

affected. The 2013 National Demographic

Household Survey found that 1 in 3

pregnant women and 16 percent of

lactating mothers have vitamin A

deficiency. Overall, one tenth of The

Gambia`s population (1.9 million) is food

insecure and nearly 1 in 3 Gambians are

vulnerable to food insecurity.

Early screening and effective treatment of

malnutrition particularly among women and children

can save lives, and increase their chances to reach

their fullest potential.

Under this EU funded project UNICEF and WFP have teamed up with the Ministry of Health and Social

Welfare, the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), The Gambia Red Cross Society and other relevant partners to help combat stunting.

WFP, UNICEF together with implementing partners successfully conducted a mass screening for symptoms of acute and severe malnutrition among all children under 5 in NBR, CRR, LRR and URR.

The initiative targets an estimated 40, 000 children under two for prevention of malnutrition, more than 16, 000 children under 5 for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition, and 7, 500 pregnant and nursing women for treatment of acute malnutrition. It also

promotes and supports the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of a child`s life.

Between October and December 2017, more that 30, 000 children under two (6—23 months) were provided with fortified nutritious ready-to-use nutrient foods called Plumpy’ Sup for the prevention of malnutrition. Treatment 5, 565 children were reached with specialized foods

for treatment, while 5, 832 Malnourished pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers were given nutrient-rich cereals with vegetable oil. All three categories received this assistance monthly.

On the other hand, children with severe acute malnutrition normally with complications were referred to health facilities for treatment. Those

without complications are provided with Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF). Some 5,153 children have been admitted for SAM treatment under this project,

out of which 4,197 have already been treated and discharged.

UNICEF made available essential lifesaving supplies (including RUTF, F75, F100, Vitamin A, deworming

tablets and antibiotics) for the treatment of SAM at the health facilities and homes.

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Prevention and Treatment of Malnutrition Saves Lives.

A child being screened Photo credit: ©WFP/Isatou Njai

A health worker in one of the project sites Photo: ©FAO/Ousman Bangura

ISSUE 1 — JUNE — DECEMBER 2017

Fighting hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty through cash for work

Reducing the impact of floods in rice production areas

CRR has the potentials to meet the country`s demand for rice as well as generate a surplus for

export to earn the country the much needed foreign exchange. However, in recent years, repeated flooding at the Jahally, Pacharr and Sukuta rice fields in the Central River Region (CRR) had resulted to crop failures and increased food and nutrition insecurity in the area and in the country in general.

In a bid to help contribute towards combating these challenges sustainably, the “Post Crisis-Response to Food and Nutrition Insecurity in The Gambia” project is strengthening the livelihoods of families with malnourished children in the region.

Provision of technical support In June, 2017, a technical mission from the FAO West Africa Regional Office for Resilience based in Dakar, Senegal supported the design of the Cash For Work component. The Mission consulted with both the WFP Regional Office in Dakar and the WFP Country Office to learn from the agency`s experience in the

implementation of such activities. With technical support from FAO Regional office for Africa (RAF), the rice growers association in CRR were assisted to identify the challenges resulting to low production and low yields in the area. Based on the outcome of these consultations, a Letter of

Agreement (LOA) was signed with the Gambia Red

Cross Society (GRCS) for the selection of beneficiaries and monitoring the implementation of “cash for work” activities aimed at reducing floods in the rice fields. The activities includes canal desilting, dyke repair, culvert construction and rehabilitation of

access road to rice fields. Technical supervision is being provided by the Soil and Water Management Unit (SWMU) under the Department of Agriculture. This partnership between FAO, Government institutions, NGOs and Farmer-Based Groups, promotes full farmer participation in self-help

initiatives. The community-participatory development approach is enhancing self-reliance, infrastructural development, and public-private

partnership. Reducing challenges in rice

fields A 3 km access road is to the rice fields is being rehabilitated In Niani Sukuta village in Central River Region North. Similarly, in the Jahally rice zone in Central River

Region South, 4 km of tidal irrigation dyke has been cleaned, four additional culverts constructed and irrigation canals de-silted in sukuta and Jahally. The

intervention will help divert the run off water in to the river and thus

contribute towards minimizing the incidence of flooding in the area which has been the main driver for

low yields in the country`s rice basket. According to Maimuna Ceesay, a farmer from Pacharr

Village and Baa Mariga (below in green with spade next to the culvet) from Jahally Village, floods

destroyed more than 70 percent of farms and more than 60 hectares of rice fields in the area in 2016 resulting to widespread food insecurity.

Discouraging rural urban migration, increasing farmers` ability to pay for basic household needs A total of 397 workers representing 6,164 people from vulnerable households participated in the

activities. The intervention also helps in mitigating

irregular migration by creating short-term employment. At least 400 people from the satellite communities are also getting fuelwood and extra cash from the sale of the surplus wood from the fallen trees. Each participant in the cash for work scheme

receives an average monthly income of about D3,000. People interviewed in Sukuta explained that more than half of the money paid to them is being used to feed families while the balance is used to provide shelter, service debts and pay school fees among other things.

An additional 463 people (representing 8,387 people) have been identified for canal clearing at Pacharr Rice

Field. Youths

constitute about 75 percent of the participants of whom 90% are

men and 10% women. As at end December 2017, about D3.8 million will be received by the communities.

The availability of the much needed cash in these food and nutrition insecure

households will immensely help in

mitigating the effects of the crop failure.

Farmers fixing a new culvert to address flooding at the Jahally rice

field Photo Credit: ©FAO/Amadou Bah

A farmer receiving her pay after participating in a Cash for

Work programme Photo Credit: ©FAO

ISSUE 1 — JUNE — DECEMBER 2017 PAGE 5

Empowering farmers to increase productivity through Farmer Field School initiative

Farmer Field School A weak agricultural extension service is a key contributing factor to low agricultural productivity in

The Gambia. The extension-staff-farmer ratio is about one-to-three thousand. With increasing climate change related challenges, disease burdens and declining soil fertility, there is an urgent need to fix the country`s agricultural extension system.

Capacity development Through the project’s support, a Farmer Field School approach is being promoted with a view to complement the work of the agricultural extension system. The innovative and practical initiative enjoys the full support of the Department of Agriculture

which provides technical backstopping to the cost-

effective platform for enhanced farmer networking and experience sharing. Seventy-five Farmer Field School trainers have been trained in improved crop, livestock, nutrition, farming

and business techniques. Farmers and agricultural extension agents drawn from across the project intervention regions participated in the six-week intensive training hosted by the Rural Farmer Agricultue Trainining Centre in Jenoi, Lower River Region. Jennifer Hire, a Consultant hired by the project facilitated the six-weeks intensive trainings

conducted in September and October 2017.Resource persons were drawn from the Departments of

Agriculture and Livestock Services, Catholic Relief Services, United Purpose, ActionAid The Gambia and FAO. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Attila Lajos,

EU Ambassador to The Gambia enjoined the trainees to the put the knowledge and skills gained for the achievement of the desired goals. Perpetua Katepa Kalala, FAO Country Representative restated FAO`s continued commitment to partner

with all stakeholders to empower farmers for the attainment of the zero hunger targets without leaving no one behind.

Adama Ngum-Njie, Permanent Secretary 2, Ministry

of Agriculture and Fanta Bojang Samateh-Manneh, Governor, LRR both paid glowing tribute to FAO and the EU for the assistance and challenged farmers to

make good use of the opportunity.

Scaling up of the FFS approach Each of the trainees has established a FFS at the community level where 30 farmers are being trained

on the FFS methodology with specific focus on climate smart agriculture, organic farming, integrated Pest Management practices amongst others. The target is to train a minimum of 10,000 farmers.

Monitoring and Evaluation A Monitoring and Evaluation team has been set up to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of projection implementation.

Addressing mobility constraints Lack of mobility remains a key challenge for the effective functioning of the agricultural extension service. In a bid to help address the problem and facilitate the movement of the agricultural extension agents, farmer field school trainers and their

supervisor, the project has provided 21 motor bikes

and 75 bicycles as well as an assortment of farming implements and stationery for them. Receiving the items, Omar A Jallow, Agriculture Minister again applauded FAO, UNICEF and WFP for the project and the EU for funding it. He called for the judicious utilization of the equipment.

Farmers demonstrating the knowledge gained with dignitaries

during the Farm Field School Training of Trainers graduation

ceremony in Jenoi, LRR. Photo Credit: ©FAO/Amadou Bah

Left– Lang Kira Jawla, a Farmer Field School facilitator at Kun-

dam Ma Faaty, URR with Farmers and FAO M&E team at his

demonstration plots. Photo Credit: ©FAO/Chergy Mecrcy

Omar A Jallow, Agriculture Minister receiving the motor bikes

and other equipment meant for the Farm Field School Trainers

Photo Credit: ©FAO/Amadou Bah ISSUE 1 — JUNE — DECEMBER 2017 PAGE 6

Improving access to quality farm inputs In July 2017, The Gambian Government, through the

Department of Agriculture (DoA) received farm inputs worth over D29 million from FAO to distribute to food

insecure households. The quality agricultural inputs were provided by the ‘‘Post-Crisis Response to Food

and Nut r i t i on Insecurity in The Gambia’’ project. The National Seed Secretariat (NSS)

quality control unit sampled the seeds for germination test. The results from Sapu and Kerewan indicate a

98% germination rate, good enough to be accepted as quality seed. A total of 6,500 households in 7

districts in the North Bank Region (NBR), Central River Region North

(CRRN), Upper River Region (URR) and Lower River Region (LRR) benefitted directly from the drought tolerant seed

v a r i e t i e s

(Groundnut s e e d , cowpeas, rice and maize) and fertilizer.

Receiving the inputs, Falalo Touray, the then Director G e n e r a l , Department of Agriculture

described the intervention

as ‘timely’. He conveyed the government’s appreciation to FAO and the EU for the initiative. Touray explained that strengthening the productive capacity as well as building the resilience of the vulnerable poor farmers is key to the fight against

food insecurity and poverty. He used the platform to stress that the inputs are only meant for ‘the most vulnerable farmers and households with malnourished children’ and must be strictly distributed as intended. He challenged the regional governors, district chiefs and the regional agricultural

directors to ensure that the inputs reach the target beneficiaries and on time.

Perpetua Katepa-Kalala, FAO Country Representative commended The Gambian Government for prioritizing food security and the agricultural sector in general in the quest for sustainable socio-economic growth and development. She reminded farmers of the critical

role they could play towards the success of the

p r o j e c t which aims

to improve f o o d

security and r e d u c e s t u n t i n g a m o n g c h i l d r e n under the

age of two. She encouraged farmers to adhere to the

recommended practices (GAPs, nutrition and care) that the project would be promoting. Katepa-Kalala thanked the EU for entrusting FAO, UNICEF and WFP with funds for the execution of the project.

Atila Lajos, EU Ambassador to The Gambia tasked the farmers to make use of the assistance to improve

their lives and livelihood. He noted that the project is a follow-up to recent EU funded food security interventions in response to crop failure in The Gambia. He reiterated the EU`s continuous commitment to assist The Gambia combat hunger and malnutrition. Fanta Bojang Samateh-Manneh, Governor, Lower River Region pledged to ensure the

inputs reach the ‘right people’.

Towards achieving seed security FAO in June 2017 signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with the National Seed Secretariat (NSS) for

groundnut seed multiplication in the quest to contribute towards combating the perennial problem of inadequate quality seed for the farming

community. Through the accord, FAO provided 10 tonnes of seeds and 500 bags of fertilizer to the NSS. The inputs were distributed to 30 (8 of whom are female) selected certified seed producers in WCR, NBR, LRR & CRR. The NSS also cultivated a farm at

its research centre at Sapu, CRR South. Certified seed fields located close to NSS stations were effectively supervised by NSS technicians. Other fields were under the supervision of the DOA extension workers.

The NSS farm

p r o d u c ed a n

est imated 29 metric tonnes. The produced would be purchased by the p r o j e c t a n d r e d i s t r i b u t e d among certified

seed producers for m u l t i p l i c a t i o n during the next cropping season. However, due to the late start and

early seizure of

the rains coupled with the dry spell in August and September and the floods in the CRR, productivity

has been low.

Improving access to quality seeds and fertilizer for food security and nutrition

Falalo Touray, Director General, Department

of Agriculture (then) receiving the inputs on

behalf of government from the FAO Rep

Pepetua Katepa Kalala whilst Govenor

Manneh, Ambasaador Lajos, others look on.

Photo Credit: ©FAO/Amadou Bah

Farmer gathering her harvest at Pacharr rice

field, Photo Credit: ©FAO/Amadou Bah

Inputs distribution team Photo Credit: ©FAO/

Inputs distribution in the field Photo Credit:

ISSUE 1 — JUNE — DECEMBER 2017 P A G E 7

“The intercropping of cowpea and maize has helped increased farmers’

yields and reduce soil erosion. It also improves the soil’s fertility, thereby reducing the demand for

artificial fertilizer”,

says Mustapha Drammeh, Regional Agricul-tural Director for

NBR.

Here’s what EU support means for Families in The Gambia

It is morning in Kerewan, Keur Omar Saine, a small village in

the Gambian region of the North Bank not far from the Amdalai

border with Senegal. Karou, a mother of four children, is takes

her six month old set of twins — Fatou and Lamin — to a nutri-

tion support centre for the first time.

“My twins have now reached the stage when they cannot de-

pend only on breastfeeding to fill their bellies but I do not have

the right food to give them in addition to breast milk,” Karou

says.

“When I heard about the nutrition programme I decided to

head early to the centre so that my children can benefit from

the support,” she adds.

At the centre, both Fatou and Lamin are screened for malnutri-

tion. They are very weak and weigh far below the average for

their age. They are immediately enrolled for malnutrition treat-

ment where they will receive specialised nutritious foods in

what specialist call a targeted supplementary feeding pro-

gramme.

For more information please contact: Perpetua Katepa Kalala Sandra Lattouf Angela Cespedes

FAO Country Representative UNICEF Country Representative WFP Country Director

Fajara, The Gambia Bakau, The Gambia Bakau, The Gambia

perpetua.katepakala@foa.org slattouf@unicef.org angela.cespedes@wfp.org

Tel: +2204498034 Tel:+2204498831 Tel:+2204494784

Yerro Loum (Centre) of Njau, CRR North and

family posing with their maize seeds for the next

season, Photo credit: ©FAO/Amadou Bah

“Despite the late start of the rains and the dry spell experienced, we have realized a good harvest because of the inputs and advice provided by the pro-

ject and the agricultural field staff. When the maize matured in Septem-ber, it cut down our rice consumption daily by 2.5kg. I also donated 50 pans of fresh maize cob to the community in September when

food was scarce.

Thanks to this intervention I have

Tumbul Gassama posing with her maturing

Tumbul Gassama, Kaif village, Kiang East District, LRR said the assistance has saved her household from a com-plete crop failure.

“…I am grateful to Allah, Agriculture, FAO and the donor (EU) for the inputs given to me. The variety is drought tolerant and my produce will sustain my household of ten for three months. From my produce, I am also able to

keep seeds for the next cropping sea-

Mustapha Drammeh, RAD, NBR. Photo credit: ©FAO/Amadou Bah